Mumbai hold East Bengal

KHOLAPUR, JAN 4
East Bengal and Mumbai played out a 1-1 draw in a keenly contested I-League encounter at Sahu Mahraj ground, here on Tuesday.
The first half saw the visitors dictating terms as they took the lead in the 18th minute through their Nigerian defender Uga Okpara who took a direct shot into the post comfortably after getting a pass from the right flank from their Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey.
The red-and-gold brigade  led 1-0 at the break. After resumption, Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil’s change of tactics worked well in their favour as they took their opponents by surprise.
The Mumbai outfit enjoyed better ball possession and for the first time in the I-League, even after taking the lead, East Bengal were not up to their best.
Mumbai FC’s striker Henry Ezeh got two chances to level terms, but the Nigerian striker squandered the available opportunities in the 60th and 68th minutes. The only chance that East Bengal got in the second half was in 66th minute when Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey header hit the corner of the post.
Henry Ezeh didn’t let his coach down as he headed home the equaliser to bring his side back in the match in the 75th minute.
Mumbai FC could have sealed the match in the 80th minute, but to their despair Dane Pereira missed a sitter from close range.